Washington -- The Washington Capitals received goals from a grinder, a defenseman that has missed much of the early season, and their first quarter MVP to hold off the Eastern Conference's top team, the New York Rangers, 3-1 before a near-capacity crowd at Verizon Center.

Goalie Brent Johnson, making his third consecutive start as Coach Bruce Boudreau plays his hot hand, made 28 saves and allowed just one goal, on a shot that was tipped and redirected. Johnson made several incredible saves, but none were bigger than on a penalty shot at 9:25 of the third period.

Rangers captain Chris Drury got free in the Caps' zone and Alex Ovechkin got enough of Drury to pull him off the puck, but referee Dan Marouelli said Drury was in the clear and awarded the penalty shot. Drury tried to deke Johnson to his stick side, but the goalie used his stick to poke-check the puck before Drury could even get his shot off.

Asked after the game if Brent Johnson was his number one goalie, Boudreau said, "Tonight he was. Maybe Monday again. Wednesday, who knows."

The first two goals, by Brooks Laich and Tom Poti, both went to video review. Laich's goal came after a shot by Alexander Semin bounced back over the goal and Laich batted the puck in from mid-air. The Rangers complained that it was a high stick, but review showed that Laich's stick was indeed below the goal's crossbar, the standard for a high stick.

Poti's goal was even more controversial. Poti knocked in a rebound past Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, but live it appeared that the goal had become displaced with traffic around the net. The replay showed, however, that even though the goal had indeed moved, it had not become completely dislodged from the peg, which by rule, it must to be to waive the goal.

The Caps third goal was simply spectacular. Alexander Semin, right out of the penalty box with less than ten seconds remaining in the game, collected a loose puck in his defensive face-off circle, wheeled and shot over 110 feet, splitting the posts right in the middle into the empty net.

The Caps were killing that penalty, a debatable call against Semin, as he was called for tripping in a 2-1 game at 17:45. Washington -- and Johnson -- held fast during that power play, even as New York went 6-on-4 when they pulled Lundqvist with about 45 seconds remaining in the period. Nine seconds out of the box Semin pulled off his heroics, sending the home crowd ecstatic.

The Caps are one of four NHL teams unbeaten at home this season, with a record of 5-0-1.

GOOD: Brent Johnson. Everything must look like a beach ball to him right now. The poke-check on the penalty shot was jsut like the other night in Ottawa on Daniel Alfredsson. He's stopped over 96% of shots against him in his three consecutive starts.

BAD: Injuries. They are starting to pile up. D Shaone Morrisonn sat with a groin pull suffered Thursday, so too did C Sergei Federov, and his injury is of the "undisclosed" variety. Chris Clark sat as well with what is reported as a wrist injury.

UGLY: The Captain's mysterious injury. Clark was reported to be upset when asked about his injury after Saturday morning's skate, saying "You have to ask Bruce [Coach Boudreau]." When asked about Clark's statement, Boudreau said "He's perturbed that he's hurt." Hopefully there's no more to this than a player's frustration about not being on the ice. But if this is the coach's method of sitting his captain for his noted poor play so far this season, trouble may be brewing.___________________________________________________________NEXT GAME: Monday, November 10 against Tampa Bay at 7:00 PM from the Verizon Center.

The Washington Capitals (6-4-2-14, second in Southeast Division) host the New York Rangers (11-4-1-23, first in Atlantic Division) tonight at 7:00 pm from Verizon Center.

The Caps enter showing signs of offensive life once again, after defeating the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday night 3-2. The reunited Russian World Championship line of Alex Ovechkin-Sergei Federov-Alexander Semin proved all the difference, as Semin (twice) and Federov both scored, and Ovechkin had the primary assist on all three goals. Ovechkin said the trio "had fun" and were looking for ways to score all night.

The only thing missing now is Ovechkin actually scoring a goal, something he hasn't done now in eight games, his career longest scoring drought. Coach Boudreau remarked that Ovechkin is working as hard as ever and that "he's not slowing down," but is confident his left winger will regain his scoring touch.

Goalie Brent Johnson played another stellar game in goal with 32 saves against the Canes, and it appears that Johnny will between the pipes again against New York. It will be Johnson's third consecutive start. After last Thursday's win, Johnson commented that his confidence was extremely high, maybe an all-time personal high, and was looking forward to getting back at it.

The Caps did take a couple of injuries Thursday. D Shaone Morrisonn left in the first period with a "lower body injury", but sources confirmed it to be a groin strain. Federov left midway through the third period with an undisclosed injury, and neither player participated in practice Friday or Saturday morning's skate. Tyler Sloan was recalled from Hershey and will be paired with Tom Poti on D tonight.

Nicklas Backstrom will assume Federov's spot on the first line with Ovechkin and Semin, at least for tonight while Federov recuperates.

Captain Chris Clark was held out of the morning skate as well, and it appears he'll be an injury scratch as well. His wrist was wrapped Saturday morning, and seemed upset and declined to elaborate on his injury to the press. Clark has struggled this season with just one assist and a -2 rating to show so far.

The Rangers come into DC with the best record in hockey, but showing signs of struggle, losing two of their last three games. They defeated Tampa Bay 5-2 Thursday, but lost in succession to the New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs last week, scoring just three times in the two games.

The Broadway Blueshirts have five players with five goals, tied for the team lead. RW Mikolai Zherdev, LW Markus Naslund, C Aaron Voros, C Chris Drury and RW Ryan Callahan have provided the balanced scoring. Zherdev is a league leading +11, just ahead of Semin at +10. New York does all it's scoring at even strength, as it's power play is ranked in the bottom third of the league, however it's penalty kill is third overall.

Washington -- Washington Capitals LW Alexander Semin scored twice in the third period, including the game-winner with 11 seconds remaining in the game, to lead the Caps past their division rival Carolina Hurricanes 3-2, pulling to within two points of the division lead in the process.

Semin's ninth and tenth goals of the season could not have come at a better time, as Washington entered the final period down 2-1, playing with more determination but similar results as 2-1 losses on the road the last two weeks to Ottawa, Phoenix and Calgary.

Coach Bruce Boudreau decided after practice yesterday to put three of his four Russian forwards together on a line for tonight's game, and the move paid off in spades. Semin teamed with his Russian National Team teammates Alex Ovechkin and Sergei Federov on the first line, and Semin responded -- as he has all year -- with two goals. Federov notched his fourth goal in the second period, and Ovechkin, playing just his second game since returning to the team after visiting his ailing grandfather in Russia, assisted on all three of the Capitals goals.

Ovechkin was happy that the group was able to spur the team to succeed. "Our line today played, I think, excellent. We controlled the puck, we find the shooter and we had great chances to score goals, especially in third period. Everybody enjoyed it, everybody see it's time to wake up, time to win the game."

The win was marred slightly with news of two injuries to key components of the Caps engine. D Shaone Morrisonn left the game in the second period with a "lower body injury", suspected to be a groin injury, and C/F Sergei Federov left late in the third period with an undisclosed injury. Coach Bruce Boudreau had no details on either injury in his post-game press conference.

Forward Brooks Laich also took a heavy hit blocking a shot in the second period with his leg, and had trouble removing himself from the ice. Laich, limping heavily, managed to break up a D-to-D pass, knocking the puck out of the offensive zone on his way off the ice, essentially on one leg. Boudreau described the act as one word: "Character." He would return in in the third period.

Goalie Brent Johnson, making his second consecutive start in place of free agent G Jose Theodore, played terrifically behind his teammates, making several spectacular saves, none better than a toe save while the Caps were killing a five-on-three power play in the third period. Johnson stopped 32 of the 34 shots he faced, to go along with the 40 saves he had in Ottawa Tuesday night, the game that "earned" him this start, according to Coach Boudreau.

Boudreau complemented his penalty killers after the game, especially noting the performance down two men. "The last couple games we've done a really good job at it. Different guys are on there doing it, and you're getting big saves there from the goaltender which is always the number one ingredient when you're killing a penalty is to have your goalie be your best penalty killer, and he was on both of the five-on-three occasions."

Carolina received goals from Scott Walker, his first of the season, and Tuomo Ruutu, his fifth. The Hurricanes also had a health scare, as team captain Rod Brind'Amour was whacked in the face by Semin on his follow-through on the game-winner, sending the veteran sprawling -- and spewing blood profusely as he left the ice. There was no word, as of this writing, on the extent of his injury.

GOOD: Brent Johnson. Johnny was extremely sharp again tonight, and it would not be surprising to see him between the pipes for Saturday night's tilt with the Blueshirts. The Russian Sniper Line was great too. They all skated very well, especially in the third period when they got the equalizer and game winner.

BAD: John Erskine. He was the worst player on the ice tonight. He screened Johnson on the second goal, continues to turn the puck over in his defensive and, and cannot seem to clear the puck off the boards when his team needs him to.

UGLY: The injuries. Losing Morrisonn would be a crippler, and would require a call-up. If Feds is hurt too, there goes your insurance policy. I guess we'll have to see tomorrow how bad it all really is.

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NEXT GAME: Washington faces the New York Rangers Saturday night at Verizon Center at 7:00 pm. The Rangers defeated Tampa Bay 5-2 tonight, and are owners of the league's best record at 11-4-1.

The Washington Capitals (5-4-2) return home from a one-point, two game road trip to face the Southeast Division leading Carolina Hurricanes (7-3-2-16) at the Verizon Center tonight at 7:00 pm.

Washington enters play tonight second in the division behind Carolina, due in part to dropping their last two contests, to Buffalo and Ottawa, on the road. The team was dramatically outplayed and out skated last Saturday in Buffalo, getting shut out 5-0 by Ryan Miller and the Sabres. The intensity definitely picked up Tuesday in Ottawa, but the Caps fell with less than 40 seconds in overtime as a defensive breakdown allowed Dany Heatley to beat G Brent Johnson cleanly to his stick side.

Coach Bruce Boudreau really put his team through the paces in a couple of practices between the two games, trying to instill the mentality necessary to play a complete 60-minute hockey game, an accomplishment rarely achieved for these Capitals this season. Even though the level of play picked up in Ottawa, the Caps still drew five penalties -- including three hooking calls -- to only claiming one.

Washington is third in the league in most penalty kill attempts.

LW Alex Ovechkin returned to the team for the game against the Senators after missing the previous two to be with his ailing grandfather in Russia. He was held pointless, and Coach Boudreau remarked that Ovechkin looked "tired" in the third period. This will be his first home game since returning to the lineup, and the faithful at Verizon Center are sure to receive him warmly.

Brent Johnson, off his stellar 42 save performance at Ottawa, will start in goal for the Caps. He is 1-1-2, with a 2.47 GAA and .914 S% for the season.

Coach Peter Laviolette's Carolina squad comes in to this one banged up with injury, but having won their last two games, both against the Toronto Maple Leafs. They won Sunday 6-4 and Tuesday 5-4 in overtime. The Hurricanes are paced on offense by LWs Ray Whitney and Tuomo Ruutu and centers Eric Staal an Rod Brind'Amour Though veteran Brind'Amour is a team low -10 for the season, he has four goals and four assists.

Ottawa -- Center Mike Fisher scored his first goal of the season with less than 40 seconds remaining in overtime and the Ottawa Senators defeated the Washington Capitals 2-1 before 18,485 at Scotiabank Place.

Daniel Alfredsson carried the puck across the blue line uncontested, slid it to D Filip Kuba along the right side boards, who immediately fed it back to Alfredsson in the high slot. As defenders ShaoneMorrisonn and Mike Green both pinched to the center, Alfredsson hit Fisher in stride coming down the left wing, and he made no mistake, snapping past Caps goalie Brent Johnson's blocker side for the game winner.

Johnson played a tremendous game, as did his counterpart, Alex Auld, for Ottawa. Johnson faced a season high 42 shots, allowing just the two goals. Auld saved 25-of-26 for the home team to earn the win.

Both teams played this one close to the vest, trying to keep the other's scoring lines from doing much damage. The game plan worked for both teams, as they entered overtime tied at just one goal apiece with both of those goals registered in the second period.

DanyHeatley opened the scoring for the Senators at 1:13 of the second. The Caps pressed hard on a forecheck and were beaten on a breakaway. Alfredsson dug the puck out of the corner to Fisher, who made a beautiful lead pass to a streaking Heatley, who had beaten Jeff Schultz into the offensive one. After a quick deke to the backhand that got Johnson leaning, Heatley flipped it back to his forehand and beat Johnson to the near post.

Washington answered two minutes later. Michael Nylander wrestled the puck from an Ottawa defender to hold the zone and he pushed it up the boards where Tomas Fleischmann collected it and tapped back to Nylander. The veteran center then passed to Alexander Semin at the top of the circle, skated into the slot, and found a cutting Fleischmann in front of Auld. Fleischmann waited for Auld to commit, then lifted a backhander past him for the equalizer.

The rest of the game belonged to the two netminders.

The Caps penalty kill did the job last night, as they held Ottawa scoreless in five chances. Washington received only one power play the entire evening.

GOOD: Brent Johnson. He made 42 saves, including a several highlight stops, one on a breakaway by Alfredsson. Quality job from a guy that coach Bruce Boudreau said "earned another start." We should say so.

BAD: Penalties. the Caps took five to Ottawa's one, including three for hooking. That's really just inexcusable. Hooking is the last bastion of players that have stopped skating, and Semin, Laich and Federov all got called last night.

UGLY: Federov's Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty. It didn't come back to hurt them, but for a veteran to lose his cool and slam the puck into the boards after getting whistled is just unnecessary. It a sign of frustration that this team just isn't clicking right now._________________________________________________________NEXT GAME: Thursday, November 6 against the division leading Carolina Hurricanes from the Verizon Center at 7:00 pm.

NOTES: Alex Ovechkin returned after missing two games visiting with his ailing grandfather in Russia. He was held off the scoresheet and described as "tired" by Coach Boudreau. Ovechkin has two goals on the season, both in the same game.

With his goal, Fleischmann tied Mike Green for second on the team in goals with four.

Carolina defeated Toronto in overtime last night, and heads into Thursday's game winning three of their last four games.

After missing two games to be with his ailing grandfather, Alex Ovechkin returns to the ice with his Washington Capitals (5-4-1-11, 2nd in Southeast) teammates in Ottawa to take on the Senators (4-5-2-10, 5th in Northeast) from Scotiabank Place at 7:30 pm.

Washington swept all four games last year between the two teams, so Ottawa has incentive right off the bat, regardless of their less-than-inspiring start to the season.

The Caps have plenty of motivation of their own, considering their poor and lethargic play in a 5-0 loss to Buffalo Saturday night, and the resulting hard practices conducted by coach Bruce Boudreau since. Boudreau called out several of his star players by name after the poor showing in Buffalo, and several, including Mike Green and Jose Theodore, stood up to take responsibility for their efforts.

Theodore, in particular, needs to rebound from his inconsistent start. He's getting beaten way too often early in games and at the starts and finishes of periods. He needs to re-examine his concentration and preparation levels, or the Caps may need to lean on back-up G Brent Johnson a little more. Theodore's numbers (4-3-0, 3.44, .877) just won't cut it over the long haul. He's shown flashes of brilliance, but far too ofter has been sloppy with the puck, either allowing big rebounds or miscommunicating with his defensemen.

The defense itself comes into this game hurting. Tom Poti has returned from his groin injury and hasn't shown any lingering effects, but Shaone Morrisonn took a puck to the body Saturday and could not finish the game and his status tonight is questionable, though he practiced yesterday. John Erskine, however, is hobbled by lingering soreness in the calf he hurt originally in Calgary and he may be a game-time decision. Sergei Federov can cover for one of the defensemen, but it will be a major problem if neither can go, or can't finish.

Ottawa enters having won two of their last three games, defeating Buffalo 5-2 and Florida 2-1, but losing to Tampa Bay in a shootout 3-2 in their most recent game Saturday. Their offense is paced by LW Dany Heatley (7-6-13) and D Filip Kuba (0-12-12). RW Daniel Alfredsson had minor knee surgery earlier this season, but managed to miss just one contest. He has three goals and two assists in his last five games.

Ottawa's regular starting goalie is Martin Gerber (1-3-1, 3.39, .891), but he has been nursing a leg injury and is questionable. Alex Auld (3-2-2, 2.15, .931) is the capable back-up.

Alex Ovechkin returned to practice today and will play tomorrow at Ottawa. He expressed thanks to the Caps organization for allowing him the time to be with his grandfather.

Shaone Morrisonn also practiced after being rushed to the hospital during the game against Buffalo. Apparently, he was spitting up blood after getting hit in the first period Saturday night and was taken to the hospital out of an abundance of caution.

John Erskine did not practice today, and is questionable for tomorrow's game. Federov skated on the blue line for practice and will play D if Erskine can't go. This is a flare-up of the calf injury first sustained at Calgary.

Alexander Semin was named NHL's "First Star" of the month of October, formerly known as "Player of the Month". He led the league in points for the month with 16.

Keith Aucoin of Hershey was named the AHL's Player of the Month, making it a sweep for top honors in the two highest leagues.

Buffalo -- The Washington Capitals were dominated in every phase of the game, dropping a 5-0 shut out to Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night at HSBC Arena, a team reeling from consecutive 5-2 losses on home ice.

Miller saved all 29 shots faced and was rarely tested throughout the contest. The Capitals put up their best fight in the second period, when they out shot Buffalo 14-4, but to no avail. The Sabres also got two goals from F Thomas Vanek, who leads the NHL in goals scores with 11.

Derek Roy, Jason Pominville and Daniel Paille each added goals for the winners.

Buffalo seized control early, scoring at 1:12 of the first period. Vanek took a lead pass on the left wing, easily skated around D Mike Green, and beat G Jose Theodore five-hole. Theodore has given up two goals or more in the first period in five of his eight starts.

Coach Bruce Boudreau voiced his displeasure with several of the team's veterans after the game, calling out Green, C Sergei Federov and F Viktor Kozlov by name in the post-game press conference as "not ready to play".

LW Alex Ovechkin missed his second straight game visiting his ailing grandfather in Russia, but is supposed to be back with the team for Tuesday's game in Ottawa.

Washington was 0-for-5 on the power play. Buffalo was only 1-for-8 with the man advantage.

BAD: Jose Theodore. Five goals on 27 shots. He was beaten every single way, slap shots, backhands, wristers, tip-ins; you name it. His GAA is now 3.44 and save percentage at .877. That's just plain old-fashioned bad.

UGLY: Coach Boudreau's tongue-lashing. Here's the quote right out of the paper:

"I can definitely tell you there were guys out there not ready to play. We've got some great players, but Mike Green wasn't ready to play. Sasha didn't come to play, and Viktor, and you can go on with some of our skilled players not ready to commit to playing a complete game."

There are no minced words there. You play poorly, get shut out and embarrassed, you're gonna hear about it.

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NEXT GAME: Tuesday, November 4 at Ottawa Senators from Scotiabank Place at 7:30 pm.